SAVANNA—Congressman Donald Manzullo and Fish and Wildlife Service
District Manager, Ed Britton, jointly announced on Friday, Sept. 26, the
U.S. Army and the Fish and Wildlife Service approved a Memorandum of
Agreement to transition 9,404 acres of the Savanna Army Depot into the
Lost Mound Unit of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and
Fish Refuge.

Manzullo, who has been a leader in developing the agreement for the last
eight years spoke on the potential the transfer holds for the former
depot and the surrounding areas.

"The transition of the depot into a national wildlife refuge will
provide increased protection and conservation of the unique natural
resources found there," said Manzullo, "The project also increases the
momentum for reuse of the closed Savanna Army Depot, and will provide
future opportunities for public recreation and ecotourism of the area."

The congressman added, "The partnerships between local, state and
federal agencies on this project will continue to provide support to the
local communities and help improve economic redevelopment of the area."

The land transfer has undergone paperwork, discussion and evaluations
among the heads of parties involved in the transfer including; the
federal and state Environmental Protection Agency, the Illinois
Department of Natural Resources, the Base Realignment and Closure
office, the Jo-Carroll Redevelopment Authority and various groups of
nature conservationists in addition to the U.S. Army and U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service.

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